Dental Bridges

Whether it’s a sports injury, an accident, or poor dental health, missing teeth are common occurrences among patients. Thankfully, our dentists are equipped with the knowledge and the tools to successfully replace missing teeth and restore proper dental health. If you find yourself in need of a dental bridge in Round Rock, look no further than Paramount Dental!

What is a Dental Bridge?

To replace a missing tooth and restore a patient’s smile, dentists use something called a dental bridge. The dental bridge consists of three components:

First, there are anchoring teeth on each of side of the missing tooth. The dentist will place a dental crown on each of these teeth.

The second component is the false tooth that is placed in the bridge gap (between the two crowned teeth). The false tooth is called the pontic. These are made from gold, alloys, or porcelain. As you may have guessed, the false tooth in the middle is supported by the crowned teeth on either side.

The third component is the bridge itself, made of metal or of porcelain.

The type of bridge described above is called the traditional bridge and it is the most common dental bridge used by dental health care professionals. There are however, two other types of dental bridges.
One is the cantilever bridge. The cantilever bridge is used when there is only a tooth on one side of the bridge gap. This type of dental bridge is not common and is not recommended for replacements in the back of the mouth, as it may place too much force on other teeth.
The other type of bridge is the Maryland bonded bridges. These bridges consist of a porcelain or porcelain fused to metal frame which holds the false tooth in place.

The Process of Getting a Dental Bridge

The first step to getting a dental bridge is preparation. Upon your initial visit, your dentist will remove enamel from the two teeth surrounding the bridge gap. This is so that room can be made to place crowns on each tooth. After the enamel is removed, a mould will be made of the bridge gap. The mould is then sent away to a lab so the bridge can be made. During your next visit, the dentist will fit the bridge. He or she will test the fit and examine your bite to make sure the bridge is a comfortable and secure fit.
Your dentist may cement your bridge in place temporarily. Once the bridge is fixed firmly in place, it will be removed. Usually the cement will be removed within a couple of weeks.

Does Getting a Dental Bridge Hurt?

Getting a dental bridge does not usually cause significant pain. When crowning the two anchor teeth, the dentist will use a local anaesthesia. After the bridge is put in there may be a little pain and tenderness of the gum area. Any pain can be treated by over the counter painkillers.

Possible Complications with Dental Bridges

Although dentists take the necessary steps to ensure a proper fitting bridge, it is possible a patient may encounter a problem after he or she leaves the office. In this case, we recommend you contact the office so that any issues can be resolved.
It’s important for the bridge to look natural. Appearance is just important to us as structural integrity. Sometimes the bridge is whiter than a patient’s natural teeth, in which case we suggest a teeth whitening treatment.
The bridge may become ill-fitting over time. This could be due to tooth decay or initial poor fit. Our dental professionals do their best to ensure a good fit.

Dental Bridge Care

With proper dental hygiene and regular visits to the dentist, it is likely a dental bridge will last over ten years. Typically, dental bridges last anywhere from 5 to 15 years. How long the dental bridge lasts depends on how well your teeth are cared for in general. This is because the integrity of the dental bridge is dependent on its surrounding teeth.
Brushing twice per day and flossing regularly are two routines that can have a huge impact on dental health. Regular dental checkups and cleaning will also help detect any dental problems at an early stage. In addition, choosing a tooth-healthy diet will help preserve your teeth. If you have just had your bridge put in, avoid hard foods.